For all individuals globally, acquiring a green card considered a lawful permanent residence status in the United States, is a dream. It has a lot of benefits, provides work, and allows one to create a new life in the United States of America Yet, getting a green card is not easy and may differ for everyone. This guide for Obtaining a U.S. Green Card will also distinguish the various methods through which an individual can attain his/her green card.
Factors to Consider
When talking about the “easiest” way to get a green card, two main things come up:
- How fast can you get a green card?
- What are the requirements, and how hard are they to meet?
There needs to be a more complex answer to these questions. It depends on your situation, and the time it takes can vary a lot. Here, we will look at the most common ways to get a green card:
- Family relationships
- Employment-based immigration
- The Diversity Visa Lottery
Understanding Waiting Times
U.S. immigration law limits the number of green cards given each year in different categories. Because of this, waiting times can be very short or over 20 years. The U.S. State Department’s Visa Bulletin provides updates on visa availability, which applicants use to track their progress. Let’s break down the main visa categories:
Family-Sponsored Preferences
- Family First Preference: Certain categories of persons who are classified as immigrants for U. S. immigration law include unmarried sons and daughters of U.S citizens.
- The Family Second Preference: Spouses and children of permanent residents: persons who are married to or are the unmarried sons/daughters of permanent residents who are aged under 21 years; unmarried sons and daughters aged more than 21 years of permanent residents.
- Family Third Preference: Married sons and daughters became classified as Immigrants of the United States.
- Family Fourth Preference: Other close relatives or members of the family living in the United States as persistents of an adult U. S. citizen.
- Close relatives; (such as spouses, unmarried sons or daughters under the age of 21 years, and parents of US citizens) have shorter green card waiting periods than family-based visa categories.
Employment-Based Preferences
Employment First Preference (EB-1): Priority workers, like internationally recognized artists, award-winning scientists, and multinational company executives.
- Employment Second Preference (EB-2): Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
- Third Preference (EB-3): Professionals with at least a Bachelor’s degree or skilled workers (longer wait times).
- Employment Fourth Preference (EB-4): Special immigrants, like certain religious workers and juveniles, join foster families.
- Employment Fifth Preference (EB-5): Investors creating jobs for at least ten U.S. workers.
Employment-based visas usually have shorter waiting times, but the application process is complex, requiring lots of documentation.
Fastest Route: Immediate Relatives
The quickest way to get a green card is to be an “immediate relative” of a U.S. citizen. This includes:
- Spouses
- Unmarried children under 21
- Parents of U.S. citizens aged 21 or older
These individuals can get immigrant visas without waiting periods.
Employment-Based Immigration for Obtaining a U.S. Green Card
In this category, a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker. The categories depend on the job’s complexity and education requirements:
- EB-1: Priority workers with outstanding achievements.
- EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
- EB-3: Professionals with at least a Bachelor’s degree or skilled workers.
Although the waiting times are shorter, the process involves extensive documentation and strict criteria.
The Diversity Visa Lottery for Obtaining a U.S. Green Card
The Diversity Visa (DV) program, or “green card lottery,” offers 55,000 immigrant visas to people from countries with low U.S. immigration numbers. Selection is random, and winners must meet educational, financial, and admissibility requirements. Even if selected, the process must be completed before the visa quotas are filled.
Seek Professional Guidance for Obtaining a U.S. Green Card
Getting a U.S. green card is challenging. The different paths each have their own rules and complexities. To improve your chances, it’s best to consult an immigration attorney. They can help assess your eligibility, guide you through the process, and explore other options.
The journey to a U.S. green card is complex, influenced by family ties, job opportunities, and the Diversity Visa Lottery. Each path has its challenges, but with the right help, determination, and legal advice, you can achieve your dream of becoming a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the United States straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa or an E-2 Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit the United States. Call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can assist you.
